International Visa Service provides QUICK SERVICE for documentation from all over the world. This service is efficient and cost effective. Your document problem and its solution is our business. We offer a wide range of services, from passport photos, certified birth records to passports, visas and more. International Visa Service offers emergency same day service, seven days a week for clients who can demonstrate a real emergency. Normal Service is from 24 hours to 10 business days. Services are available in the 48 States. Additional business days may be required in Alaska and Hawaii due to logistics. All Documents are hand-carried by a representative of International Visa Service. International Visa Service's goal is to use the 25 years of travel documentation experience to provide a professional and complete worldwide service at a reasonable price. The company, including all it's employees are dedicated to providing all inclusive and carefree service to clients all over the world. International Visa Service understands the importance of correct documentation and takes pride in making sure that their clients have exactly what is needed for their planned itinerary. Our professional staff has been trained to deal with international travelers. We are experienced in correcting problems and even more importantly, we are experienced in preventing problems. We have our own employees in most major cities in the United States and representation in many foreign capitols which helps to minimize risk and increase control over documentation. Acceptance Agent A specific Postal Clerk or Clerk of Court who has been appointed by the Department of State to review and counter sign passport applications. Amendment A change of information that occurred after the passport was issued. Examples are: Name changes due to marriage or divorce, corrections in information or errors and extra visa pages. Application Form An official Department of State application for passport and other related forms required to obtain a passport. Apostille A simplified process used by 65 countries under The Hague Convention (1968) to verify the authenticity of a seal, stamp or signature which appear on official documents, contracts, or other documents used to do business overseas. Authentication The process of determining the authenticity of a seal, stamp, signature or other stamp on a document used for doing business internationally. This process which can have from three to five steps is determined by the country where the contract, service or other document is to be used. Authority The power given by a country to members of the diplomatic core based on rank and location for which a consulate officer can issue a visa or travel document. Example: A consulate office may be given authority to issue a visa to any U.S. Citizen and anyone residing Permanently in the U.S. BUT to no one else. All others Most be referred or denied based on their country of origin. Bank Letter A letter from a bank, detailing your bank relation, account information and shows your ability to support yourself. Bank letters are used by Consulate Officers as proof that you have the funds to support yourself while visiting their country and should be notarized. Bank Statement A copy of your current bank statement, which show the balances in your bank accounts that meet monetary requirements for the visa type and country you are visiting. Consulate Officers uses a bank statement to show proof that you have funds to support yourself. Certified Birth Certificate A certificate issued by the county or State of birth.When applying for a first-time a pssport a STATE CERTIFIED Birth Certificate is required. Certificate of Citizenship A document issued to U.S. Citizen born abroad At age 16 all U.S. Citizens born abroad must decide which Country they wish to retain citizenship. When the U.S. is selected a certificate of citizenship is issued by the USCIS. This certificate must be applied for through USCIS (United States Citizenship and Immigration Services). Citizens Born Abroad A person born abroad of Parents who are U.S. Citizens. All U.S. Citizen born abroad must be registered at birth with the consulate section of the U.S. Embassy or Consulate located in the country of birth. The Consular report of Birth Abroad is registered with the Department of State and a Birth Certificate is maintained in Washington, DC. Consulate Section A department of an embassy dealing with visas and other travel documents. Consulate offices are also located in areas outside the Embassy. The consulate sections provide services to their citizens and to citizens needing assistance in obtaining travel documentation. Consulate Fees A Fees charged by the Consulate section of countries to process visas and for other services offered by the consulate section. Denied Boarding Passengers not meeting the requirements to travel abroad can and will be denied boarding by Airlines, Cruise Lines, Rail, and other means of transportation. IF courier transports undocumented passengers they can be fined. Diplomatic Passport A passport issued to official Department of State employees and others on official business. Embassy The official Diplomatic office that represents a country within another country. Example: U.S. Embassy in Canada Represents the United States in matters involving the two countries. The Ambassador is the official representative Of the United States in that country. Green Card Proof of permanate residence in the United States. These cards are issued by USCIS (United States Citizens and Immigration Service). Most countries have a similar document for people residing permanently in the country. The name " green card" refers to the color of the original card issued, which were green. They are still referred to as green cards today, although they are no longer green. Invitation An official invitation to visit a country for some purpose. Unusually, the company, or person you are visiting makes the request for you to visit the country. The formal invitation could be in the form of a government letter, Chamber of Commerce letter or other type document as outlined by the regulations of the country you plan to visit. I-94 A Card issued to arriving aliens to the U.S. which clearly States the type of visa under which they are entering the U.S.and the length of stay permitted. It is issued in Customs upon arrival. The card is surrendered upon departure from the U.S. as proof of departure. When applying for visas in the U.S. other foreign governments may request to see the I-94 as proof of legal entry in the U.S. Jurisdiction 1. The region or area over which the consulate has authority. 2. Rules dictated by a government under which a consulate can issue a visa or other document. 3. Legalization 4. The process of confirming the legality of a document that is to be used to do business overseas. Also known an Consulatization. Legalization The process of confirming the legality of a document which is to be used for some legal purpose overseas. Also known as Consulatization or Authenthication. Length of Stay The time period requested when applying for a Visa. Lost Passport A passport that is lost or stolen prior to the date of expiration. Military Passport U.S. Armed Forces and their dependents are issued no-fee passport for the purpose of traveling from the U.S. to a duty station in a foreign country. This passport cannot be used for pleasure or business travel but only on official business while traveling in connection with duty abroad. Naturalization Certificate A Certificate issued by U.S. Immigrations and Naturalization Service to applicants who meet the requirements for citizenship in the United States. This proof of citizenship is used to obtain passports. Next of Kin The person who will be notified in the event of injury or death abroad. This person is listed on your passport application and will be the person contacted in the event a problem occurs abroad. Number of Entries Visas are issued as Single or Multi entry. The number of entries and the period of stay for each entry is normally written somewhere on the visa stamp, however it is not always in English. Official Passport Passports issued to citizens who are going overseas on To do some type of business for the U.S. Government, branches of the Military or other official travel. It is a Requirement that the sponsoring department must request an official passport using a U.S. Government Form. A special unit of the Department of State in Washington D.C. processes those requests. Passport A document of identity. A passport identifies you by Name, place, date of birth and country of birth. It is used as proof of citizenship allowing you to pass to and from your home country and other countries. Passport Photos Photos accepted by the U.S. Passport Service with The passport application. Two identical photos 2 inches by 2 inches in size with an image size from bottom of chin to top of head (including hair) between 1 and 1 3/8 inches. They must be clear, full front face with white background. Digital images must be clear and photographs must be in color. No uniforms, hats or dark glasses may be worn and photos must have been taken recently. Retouched photos are not acceptable. Home made photographs are NOT acceptable. Processing Time The time is takes to process a passport, visa or other document. Proof of Identity A Valid Government document, with photograph which identifies person by name, photo, and other Information. Proof of Insurance A letter, Insurance policy or other evidence that proves that you have healthy insurance coverage that will cover medical expense while visiting the foreign country. Travel Insurance polices for the period of your trip will meet this requirement. Proof of Status A document, letter or other official item that proves that you are in the United States legally. This would be a green card, I-94 or confirmation of status from the INA. Proof of Nationality A document that proves you were born in the country. A citizenship certificate or other nationalization paper or clearly showing, according to government rules, you or proof of to be a citizen of the country. A certified Birth Certificate Citizenship from the country of your birth. Permanent Resident A person who lives permanently in a country other than that of their birth or citizenship. Power of Attorney A statement limited in scope, which allows Attorney: The visa service to deliver and pick up passports from The U.S. Passport Service. Restricted Passport A passport not issued for the full validity due to a number of reasons. This document is normally issued to citizens who have not completely satisfied the passport service as to their right of citizenship but who have a need to travel prior to completing the process. Citizens who have their passport stolen abroad and cannot produce their birth certificates will be issued a limited or Restricted passport. This term also applies to passport for travel to a specific Area. Example: to travel to a country that does not permit stamps from certain other countries in the passport. Re-entry permit A Document issued to stateless persons who are permanent residents of the U.S. by U.S. Immigration to allow these aliens to travel abroad. Refer A process in which the consulate request permission from the Foreign department of the country represented to issue a Visa to a person who is not in the proper jurisdiction or over which The consulate has no authority. This process can take from a few days to a few months depending on the type of visa being requested and the nationality of the person requesting the visa. Service Fee A fee charged for services by International Visa Service. Transit Moving through a country without leaving a restricted area. Transit Visa A visa allowing limited short stays for person traveling through that country to get to another country. Onward transportation within a specific time frame plus visas for the next country being visited must be submitted to obtain a transit visa. Tourist A person visiting a destination for the purpose of sightseeing, visiting friends or doing activities purely for pleasure. Tourist Card A card, required for entry by many countries for all visitors arriving in the country for that purpose. Many tourist Cards are obtained from the Airline or Carrier prior to arrival in the country. Vaccinations Innoculations to protect citizens in foreign countries. Vaccination Certificate An international Health Certificate is a yellow card Which can be purchased for $1.00 from the local Health department in your county. It serves as an official record of vaccinations and other shots You have had. It is required, by some countries prior to granting entry into the country. Validity Of Passport A period of time that the document remains valid. U.S. Adult passports are normally valid for a period of 10 years. Children's passports are valid for five years. Validity of Visa A period of time for which the visa is issued. This time varies according to country and authority of the issuing consulate officer. Visa A document issued and placed inside the passport which allows the holder to do "something" in the country, such as be a tourist, to conduct business or work. There are more than 500,000 different types of visas among the 270 countries. Zone The area for which a consulate is responsible for. Example: The Brazilian Consulate in Miami serves Georgia, Alabama, South Carolina, and Florida as well as other states in ZONE. This consulate can issue visas and other documents for persons living and working in this area only.